In 1903, the Wright brothers made the first heavier-than-air powered flight—changing the course of humanity. However, people practiced aviation even before 1903—flying in airships, balloons, and gliders among other craft. Today, aviation is an integral part of our modern life.
In 1903, the Wright brothers made the first heavier-than-air powered flight—changing the course of humanity. However, people practiced aviation even before 1903—flying in airships, balloons, and gliders among other craft. Today, aviation is an integral part of our modern life.
Jump to content:
Deep dives
|
Stories
|
On demand
|
Events
|
Exhibitions
|
Learning Resources
|
Publications
Deep dives
See all Deep dives
Stories
See all Stories
Celebrating Jerrie Mock, the First Solo World Flight by a Woman, and All Women Earth Rounders
April 16, 2024
An Unparalleled Vantage Point: The USS Los Angeles and the 1925 Solar Eclipse
April 05, 2024
Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford
April 04, 2024
Pick A Card: Interpreting the 1929 Women’s Air Derby with Trading Cards
March 29, 2024
Military Women Become Astronauts
March 27, 2024
On demand
See all On demand
Mail Away, Mail Away, Mail Away
Presented Online
Watch on demand
Vice Adm. Donald D. Engen Flight Jacket Night
Presented Online
Watch on demand
Spy Planes: Eyes in the Sky
Presented Online
Watch On Demand Now
Events
See all Events
Learn more
Story Time: Yellow Copter
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Thursdays in June 2024 at 11:00 am
Learn more
Story Time: Yellow Copter
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Thursdays in June 2024 at 11:00 am
Learn more
Story Time: Yellow Copter
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Thursdays in June 2024 at 11:00 am
Exhibitions
See all Exhibitions
Learn more
Barron Hilton
Pioneers of Flight
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Learn more
World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Learning Resources
See all Learning Resources
The Olive Problem
How does an olive alter an airline's bottom line?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXZrViOxcdc
Grade 5, Grade 7, Grade 6, Grade 8
Aviation, Commercial aviation, General aviation, People
Student
educational-use-permitted
Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Bessie Coleman - Spanish
Packet of experiments and other interactive activities to expand topics connected to Bessie Coleman and early flight. These activities connect to common core and Next Generation Science standards.
https://s.si.edu/BessieColemanPreandPostVisitMaterials_es_us
Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2
Aviation, Aircraft, Women, Records and Firsts, African American or Black people, Early flight
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Wright Brothers - Spanish
A mix of activities from experiments to writing activities. Expand learning on concepts connected to the Wright Brothers and Early Flight. These activities connect to standards of learning.
https://s.si.edu/WrightBrothersPreandPostVisitMaterials_es_us
Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2
Aircraft, Balloons, Aviation, Early flight, People, Records and Firsts
Teacher
cc-by-nc
Flights of Fancy Story Time: Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Air Show - Spanish
A mixture of experiments and activities to expand the learning on the Air Show Storytime. Learn about Air Circuses and Air Shows with activities that connect to learning standards.
https://s.si.edu/AirShowPreandPostVisitMaterials_es_us
Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2
Aircraft, Aviation
Teacher
cc-by-nc
History of Airline Food
A short history of airline food.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcXBBxDFaAs
Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Aviation, Commercial aviation, Human spaceflight, Physical science, Spaceflight
Other
educational-use-permitted
Animals in the Sky Scavenger Hunt for the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Explore the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Can you find the animal names of our aircraft?
https://s.si.edu/AnimalsintheSky
Grade PK, Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Aviation
Parent/Caregiver
cc-by-nc
Publications
See all Publications
Learn more
Milestones of Flight: The Epic of Aviation with the National Air and Space Museum
Learn more
Art of the Airport Tower
Explore other subtopics
Aircraft
Commercial aviation
Sports aviation
Military aviation
Vertical flight
Helicopters
General aviation
Balloons
Early flight
Airships
Ultralights
Interwar aviation